Kaberle signs with Hurricanes, Bruins trade for Corvo

Tomas Kaberle and the Carolina Hurricanes have come to terms on a three-year, $12.75 Million deal. Just minutes after the signing was made official, the Bruins announce that they acquired defensemen Joe Corvo from the Hurricanes for a 2012fourth round draft pick.

The 33-year-old who was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs via trade at the NHL Trade Deadline struggled in his brief stint in Boston.

In 24 regular season games Kaberle had just one-goal and eight-assists. Kaberle got better as the playoffs rolled along and ultimately finished with 11 points (all assists) in 25 playoff games.

Everyone knows that Kaberle was brought in to save the Bruins ugly power play, and it seemed as things got worse once Kaberle arrived. Frustration quickly grew with Bruins fans as Kaberle and the power play continued to struggle, and Bruins legend Bobby Orr who runs the agency that represents Kaberle says that hurt the defensemen.

“I don’t think Tomas played like we’ve seen him play at times, but I thought in the finals he played awfully well and there wasn’t much talk. The last time I looked the power play was five guys. There is a lot that goes into the power play. It’s difficult sometimes when people get on your butts and you’re nervous to try things sometimes when they get on you, but he’s a professional. He should be able to suck that up. He’s not a bad hockey player.”

The Bruins quickly replaced Kaberle with Joe Corvo, a cheaper upgrade from Kaberle. Corvo has played for four different teams in his nine-year-career.

Corvo has one year remaining on his deal and comes in at a reasonable $2.25 Million cap hit. Last season in Carolina Corvo tied a career high with 40 points (11 goals).

Like Kaberle (but hopefully better) Corvo is talented on the power play. Corvo had five-goals on the man advantage last season. Unlike Kaberle, Corvo loves to shoot the puck, and has cannon from the blue-line, the one knock on Corvo is his play in his own end, but with the depth the Bruins have on defense, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Corvo is another defenseman who logs a lot minutes. Last season Corvo averaged 24:46 of time-on-ice. Corvo can also eat up minutes on both sides of special teams play. Corvo’s 4:01 time-on-ice on the power play, and 2:42 shorthanded time-on-ice will certainly help out the other Bruins blue-liners.

Corvo has no problem being out there no matter the situation.

“I think it’s the experience, I’m a lot more comfortable in a lot of situations. I’ve played a lot of penalty kill, and I’ve pretty much done it all out there now. So it’s more of just a calm factor to where I know what I can do out there and I’m not going to really extend too far past that and try and do too much. I think that just the years I’ve played, you kind of find your niche and you figure out what it takes for you to be successful, and you just do those things over and over. And I think that’s where I’m at right now.”

Corvo was surprised by the trade that sent him to Boston, but being traded to the defending Stanley Cup Champions is something Corvo won’t complain about.

“This came as a surprise to me and a very pleasant surprise. I’m very happy to be with a team that’s coming off such an outstanding season and really hasn’t made many changes at all. So I just think, at this point in my career this is just an excellent opportunity to win, and to have the chance towin. And you know, I couldn’t be any happier.”